GreyOrange to unveil its new Butler robotics range for large payloads

Robotics and supply chain automation company GreyOrange is set to unveil its expanded range of Butler robots capable of managing a variety of payloads from 100 to 1600kg.

The new range will be on show this month at LogiMat 2018 in Germany, one of the world’s biggest material handling and logistics exhibitions.

The goods-to-person Butler™ system lets warehouses run high-speed operations by automating inventory storage (putaway) and order fulfilment.

It has been deployed in distribution centres in Japan, Hong Kong, India, Europe and the Americas for industries such as 3PL, e-commerce and retail.

The robotics systems handle a variety of items including apparel, home furnishing and personal care, reducing cost per shipment and enhancing productivity of warehouse operations by more than four times.

The new versatile Butler XL is ideal for handling bulk inventory in factory warehouses, omni-channel fulfilment centres and large distribution hubs.

A wide range of loads from raw materials to finished goods, including automotive components, manufacturing material and liquids can be moved on and put or picked from pallets, drums, sacks, crates and cases.

“In real-time, it integrates and delivers all of the functionality, intelligence and services required for optimum warehouse operations.”

At every step of the order process, from receiving to storage, picking to fulfilment, the orders are managed by the software platform GreyMatter.

Greater flexibility

One of the key advantages of the expanding Butler family is its ability to manage multi-floor operations with the use of an elevator.

This provides greater flexibility in handling material and inventory on multiple floors, and optimises space utilisation vertically in a warehouse.

Large and heavy pallets or slow-moving inventory may be stored on one floor, while fast moving goods may be stored on another level.

The software platform, GreyMatter, manages the Butlers across floors. Such auto-fulfilment improves order-to-dispatch time tremendously, with enhanced inventory traceability, increased fulfilment accuracy and minimising order returns.

Improved efficiency

Putaway and picking processes often take up the majority of resources of warehouse staff – between 50-70%.

Using the Butler system can lead to faster stock availability, improving efficiency multifold and shortens delivery times from days to just hours.

It is easy to add the Butler system to existing operations as it requires minimal changes to infrastructure. The Butler range shares a similar footprint and can navigate within the same width of aisles. This versatility makes it easy to configure the Butlers to work in different parts of a warehouse for end-to-end autonomous fulfilment.

Several units of the new Butler XL will be integrated in sites by mid-year. It is expected to set new standards in operational efficiencies in picking velocity and productivity.

The superior chemistry of lithium-ion batteries used in the Butler XL – similar to those of high-end electric vehicles – provide a continuous and long runtime on a single charge to complete a 24-hour shift, with a fast charge when necessary.

Based on the workload and schedule during a shift, its Artificial Intelligence assigns Butler robots for Opportunity Charging to ensure the system delivers the optimum uptime.

GreyOrange is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures and deploys advanced robotics systems for automation in warehouses, distribution and fulfilment centres.